Steaming Fish With Tausi: A Quick, Delicious Chinese Dish

Tausi, or fermented black soybeans, is a popular ingredient in Chinese and Asian cooking, adding a salty, savoury kick to dishes. It's a great way to bring out the flavour of fish without the fishy smell. This recipe for steamed fish with tausi is a delicious, healthy, and colourful dish that can be prepared in under an hour. It's a simple dish to cook and is perfect served with steamed rice.

Preparing the fish fillet

Selecting the Fish

Choose a white-meat fish fillet such as mahi-mahi, cod, tilapia, cream dory, or red snapper. Avoid salmon or tuna as their strong flavours can overpower the delicate taste of the dish. You'll need about 1 lb. of fish for this recipe.

Marinating the Fish

In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp. of sherry cooking wine, a pinch of salt, and 1 tsp. of sesame oil. Add the fish cubes to this mixture and let it marinate for about 30 minutes. This step enhances the flavour of the fish and makes it juicier.

Breading and Frying the Fish

Beat an egg in a separate bowl. Dip each fish fillet piece into the beaten egg mixture. After that, place about 1 cup of cornstarch in a clear plastic bag, put the fish inside, close the bag, and shake until the cornstarch evenly coats the fish. Repeat this process to ensure a thorough coating.

Heat about 1 cup of cooking oil in a pan. Fry the coated fish fillets until they turn a light golden brown. Make sure the fish is not fully cooked at this stage as it will continue cooking later in the black bean sauce. Place the fried fish on a wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Assembling the Dish

Arrange the steamed fish fillets on a serving plate. Pour the prepared black bean sauce over the fish. For an extra burst of flavour and texture, sprinkle some toasted garlic and garnish with diagonally cut green onion springs.

Your steamed fish with tausi is now ready to be served! Enjoy this savoury and aromatic dish with steamed rice for a complete meal.

Making the sauce

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you begin, gather and prepare the following ingredients: garlic, ginger, tomatoes, oyster sauce, gin (optional), and tausi (fermented black beans). The tausi should be washed and drained to remove excess saltiness. You can also soak the tausi in warm water beforehand to reduce its saltiness. Additionally, you will need cooking oil, such as sesame oil or another variety with a high smoke point.

Sautéing the Aromatics

Heat some oil in a skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it is lightly browned. Remove the garlic from the oil and set it aside in a small bowl. In the same oil, sauté the remaining garlic (if you have more) and the white parts of the spring onion or onion. Cook until they are tender and aromatic.

Adding Tomatoes and Flavorings

Add the ginger to the skillet and cook for another minute. Then, add the tomatoes and cook until they are soft and tender. You can mash the tomatoes with the back of a spoon to help release their juices. At this point, you can also add other flavorings like fish sauce or soy sauce. Continue cooking for about a minute.

Building the Sauce

Pour in some water and let the mixture simmer. You can also add cooking wine or gin for extra flavor. Toss in the tausi and continue cooking until the liquid is slightly reduced. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add oyster sauce or sugar for additional flavor. Let the sauce cook for a few more minutes until the tomatoes are soft and the flavors have melded together.

Final Touches

If desired, sprinkle some toasted garlic on top of the sauce for extra aroma and texture. You can also garnish the dish with chopped green onions or spring onion greens for a pop of color and freshness.

Your sauce for steamed fish with tausi is now ready to be poured over the steamed or fried fish. Enjoy your delicious and savory Asian meal!

Cooking the vegetables

Now, it's time to cook the vegetables that will accompany your steamed fish with tausi. This dish typically includes a variety of vegetables such as onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and bell peppers. You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or green beans. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing and cooking the vegetables:

• Prepare the vegetables: Start by chopping your onions, garlic, and ginger. You can mince or crush the garlic if you prefer a finer texture. For the ginger, you can julienne it or cut it into thin strips. Slice or chop the tomatoes and bell peppers into desired sizes. If you're using other vegetables, prepare them according to their specific needs.
• Sauté the aromatics: In a pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté this mixture until the vegetables are softened and aromatic. This step is crucial as it forms the flavour base for your dish.
• Add the remaining vegetables: Once the aromatics are ready, add the chopped tomatoes and any other vegetables you're using. Cook this mixture for a few minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened. You can also add a small amount of water or broth to create a sauce-like consistency.
• Season the vegetables: To enhance the flavour of the vegetables, add seasonings like soy sauce, oyster sauce, or fish sauce. You can also add a dash of sugar or salt and pepper to taste. Cook the vegetables for a few more minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
• Simmer until tender: Continue to cook the vegetables over medium heat until they are tender but still retain a slight bite. You can add a small amount of water or broth if the pan becomes too dry. Taste the vegetables and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Optional – thicken the sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, create a slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Gradually add this mixture to the vegetables while stirring continuously. Simmer the vegetables until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
• Combine with the fish: Finally, add the steamed fish to the pan and gently mix it with the vegetables. You can simmer the dish for a few minutes to allow the flavours to combine. Alternatively, you can serve the vegetables as a side dish alongside the steamed fish.

Remember to taste your dish as you go and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Enjoy your delicious and healthy steamed fish with tausi!

Cooking the fish

There are several ways to cook the fish for your steamed fish with tausi. You can steam, fry, or bread and fry the fish.

If you choose to steam the fish, you can follow this simple method:

• Cut your chosen white fish fillet into pieces.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Steam the fish for around 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

If you prefer to fry the fish, you can follow these steps:

• Marinate the fish by combining cooking wine, salt, and sesame oil in a bowl.
• Add the fish cubes and marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a cooking pot.
• Roll the fish cubes in cornstarch, ensuring they are fully coated.
• Fry the coated fish until lightly browned.
• Remove from the pot and set aside.

Alternatively, you can bread and fry the fish by following these instructions:

• Dip your fish fillet pieces in a beaten egg mixture.
• Place cornstarch in a clear plastic bag and put the fish inside.
• Close the bag and shake until the cornstarch evenly coats the fish.
• Repeat this process for a thorough coating.
• Fry the fish and set aside.

Serving suggestions

Steamed fish with tausi is a delicious, healthy, and colourful dish that mixes native Philippine cuisine with Asian, specifically Chinese, influences. Tausi, or fermented black soybeans, is a popular flavouring that has been used in China for many years.

Rice

Steamed fish with tausi is often served with rice, specifically hot steamed rice. This can be a great way to soak up the delicious sauce and flavours of the dish.

Vegetables

The dish can be served with a variety of vegetables as a side dish. Some suggestions include:

• Pinakbet
• Ginataang gulay
• Crispy fried vegetables
• Green bell pepper
• Mushrooms
• Carrots

Other Dishes

Steamed fish with tausi can also be served as part of a larger meal, accompanied by other dishes. Some suggestions for complementary dishes include:

• Siomai
• Tocino
• Longganisa
• Lumpia
• Pork Adobo with Tokwa and Tausi and Garlic Fried Rice
• Humba

So there you have it! Some serving suggestions to elevate your steamed fish with tausi dish and make it a truly memorable meal. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Frequently asked questions